The influence of sports participation on accuracy and efficiency of visual search in healthy children

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The influence of sports participation on accuracy and efficiency of visual search in healthy children

Middelburg, N.

(2016) Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Theses

(Master thesis)

Abstract

The debate on the possible effects of physical activity and/or fitness on cognition goes on. While some studies have proven the positive effect, others deny the existence of such effects. Despite the (health-)benefits physical activity can have, nowadays society seems to facilitate having an inactive lifestyle. Aim of the current ... read more study is to investigate whether children who sport at least two times per week differ in accuracy and efficiency of visual search from children who sport less than two times per week. Accuracy and efficiency of visual search were measured in 148 children, using an object cancellation task. To analyze search accuracy, the detection theory was used. In order to analyze search efficiency, standardized inter-cancellation distance, intersections rate and best-R were used as outcome measures. 133 children were included in the analysis, of which 102 sporting children. To compare the sporting and non-sporting group, an Univariate Analysis of Covariate (UNIANCOVA) was used. In addition, Spearman’s Rho coefficient was calculated to examine the relationship between the amount of sport per week and accuracy and efficiency of visual search. Results showed that sporting and non-sporting children do not differ in both accuracy or efficiency of visual search. Also, no relationship was found between the amount of sport per week and accuracy and efficiency of visual search. Further research is needed to examine the relationship between sports participation and visual search. show less

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